Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1921 - Mar 1922)

A Rap at Reformers Dr. E. H. Pratt, Chicago physician, speaking before the International Purity Conference, said: "Condemnation is no cure for the evils of today. Instead of condemning so much you ought to help more. You ought to be good fellows. Let your faces shine with the desire to help.'" PUBLIC RIGHTS LEAGUE Screen Message No. 37 Ministers as well as theatremen seek to earn a livelihood by their work on Sunday but neither commercializes the Sabbath because the first consideration in both instances is serving the public. PUBLIC RIGHTS LEAGUE. A Logical Program of Reform Editorial Published in Ch 1 c a go Daily Should Be Rep rinted in House Organs and Programs by Motion Picture Men of Country — Is Blow at Intolerance The "Chicago Tribune," under the caption "A Logical Program of Reform," comments editorially upon an interview given by Dr. Wilbur F. Crafts, superintendent of the International Reform Bureau, when in Chicago recently. The "Tribune" article has a direct bearing upon the menacing situation now faced by the industry, and in view of this fact exhibitors should consider it a duty to reprint the editorial in their programs or house organs. The editorial in full follows: Dr. Wilbur F. Crafts, superintendent of the International Reform Bureau, with headquarters in Washington, the salaried lobbyist of the best organized reform interests, starts a visit in Chicago with a violent attack upon moving picture thc.atres as the foundation upon which most present day evils are built up. From that he goes on to the dance hall and then to the automobile, which he describes suggestively as a "moving bedroom." * * * Dr. Crafts has had some experience in the war of righteousness, as denned by himself, against the forces of evil, as also defined by himself. There was a time when he believed the liquor saloon was the breeding place of vice, crime, and misery. He was a leader in the fight against it. The liquor saloon is gone. The breeding place of vice and crime has been destroyed. Yet, strange to relate, vice, crime and misery persist. What can a conscientious reformer with a salary to earn do except to seek out the other sources of evil, tear them up, root and branch, and destroy them? Nothing. So Dr. Crafts advances to the attack. He finds evil in the movie houses, more evil in the dance hall, and a climax of utter depravity in the automobile. His course is clear. Attack them. Destroy them. Legislate against them. Leave not one stone upon another, not one saxophone upon an orchestra platform, not one coupe top upon a chassis. Cast them all into outer darkness. Destroy evil by destroying all sources and all contributing factors to evil. Make the world good by law. Leave not one stumbling block in the way of a weaker brother or sister. Straighten and broaden and safeguard the way to heaven so that a blind imbecile can travel it without fear of going astray. It will take some time, much effort by Dr. Crafts and his associates, years of lobbying, and years of salary collecting, but it can be done. Witness the almost total elimination of evil since the closing of the liquor saloon. * * * After Dr. Crafts has eliminated the movie, the dance hall, and the "moving bedroom" he can extend his campaign to other things. First we would suggest elimination of parks. Benches and secluded nooks afford rare opportunity for the tempter in the ways of original sin. There should be no parks where a man and a maid may sit apart from their fellows and start with a handclasp, and then with a kiss, upon the road to perdition. And the moon, that purveyor of summer madness, must go. Many a girl has been lighted to ruin by its beams. Bathing beaches must follow. The influence which they exert is nothing short of scandalous. Away with them. Destroy the golf links. (Concluded on following page) A Tip From the Reports Over the Hill, with a special cast. — I played Over the Hill to the biggest business since I opened here fifteen years ago. I heartily endorse the picture as being one of the greatest lessons ever shown upon the screen. — C. O. Davies, Wigwam theatre, Reno, Nev. — General patronage. The Old Nest, with a special cast. — Consider this the best picture I ever ran. Many people came to see it that never were in the house before. Some said they liked it better than Over the Hill. Tell everybody to, bring a supply of handkerchiefs. — R. A. Shobe, Kentland theatre, Kentland, Ind. — Neighborhood patronage. The Off Shore Pirate, with Viola Dana. — This one is a good, clean program picture. Played for a benefit for a church club. Everyone pleased. — T. E. Loomis, Cozy theatre, Schenectady, N. Y. — Neighborhood patronage. The Inside of the Cup, a Cosmopolitan production. — A production with a good sermon. Will make people talk. Fine Sunday night picture. Attendance fair. — L. A. Pilliod, Photoplay theatre, Grand Rapids, O. — General patronage. Contributions to "What the Picture Did for Me" suggest pictures which will win the good will of your patrons and in turn silence the reformers in your community. Exhibitors zvho desire to aid the industry in fighting censorship and blue laws will benefit by reading the comments of other theatre men and booking their pictures accordingly.